The mountain air was so crisp this morning. There was a slight chill in the air. The small amount of rain we received last night brought some cooler weather. The skies are azure blue this morning. Looks like the start of a beautiful July day. The temperatures were in the mid 70s yesterday with a low of 53 last night. We have returned to the pleasant mountain air that we all know and love.

Jacque J

7/9/2012 12:56:58 am

Beautiful!!

J W

7/9/2012 01:21:58 am

Good morningAllyson!
We spent july 3rd ( 36th anniversary) at Ramsy Cascads, Last yr on July 3rd we spent it with you guys!! cant wait till oct for two nights up there again with you guys!!

Tony Ga

7/9/2012 03:34:01 am

J W,
Going to do the Ramsy Cascade hike this fall. How was it?

pam

7/9/2012 02:15:30 am

The pic is beautiful. Looks like an artist with His paint brush at work. Enjoy your cooler temps. Back to normal temps here in Ohio too.

Beautiful picture! Yesterday we had the big fat fluffy clouds in the afternoon. I said those look like mid August clouds. How everything has been so early this year to the weather, flowers, fruit,etc... Hopefully we don't get snow early. I'd like to have my summer time weather for awhile. It can stick around.

susan

7/9/2012 02:44:03 am

Good Morning Everyone,

I hope this heat wave has broken for all of you. It stormed last night just south of us here in StL. I kept watching the radar praying the rain would move north towards us. It never did and I was out early this morning watering before work.

In two weeks, we'll be coming up and can't wait! With the heat wave we haven't been able to hike or walk like we've wanted. Anyways, Doug you had mentioned to take Rainbow UP. How is the trail and about how long would it take? Also, the crew had mentioned before to take Bull Head down. Thoughts?

I know it's best not to hike with "new" hiking boots but the 12 year's old just had to grow. I'm trying to get her to wear them before the hike but you know kids. I'm hoping she won't have any issues!

Jamie

7/9/2012 03:06:08 am

Susan - we are from STL also. West of town in O'Fallon, MO. In my opinion alum cave is best up and down. I've been going up to the lodge with our son since 2007 when he was only 5 1/2. He has done fine every year. You just have to be careful in a couple of spots but nothing I'd say was too dangerous for kids. I've hiked Rainbow up once. It's all up and not much scenery at all except the falls. Bullhead is ok but when we hiked it down a couple of years ago we all kept slipping on the loose rocks. I've hiked all the trails to the lodge up/down or both and ACB is still my favorite. Just my opinion though.

Susan

7/9/2012 04:50:03 am

Hi Jaime!

Yes we are from Moscow Mills. We've hiked Alum Cave the past two years and I was thinking of doing something different. My concern is the weather and the new boots. :) My 12 year old daughter loves to hike and try new things. I've asked her how she would feel doing a new trail and her response is as long as she gets to the top.

JP

7/9/2012 03:07:58 am

I can't believe it's only 4 more months (and 11 days, but who's counting?) until I get to be back up there! Hope the season is going well. Wishing you guys all the best!

Hey JP, Hows it going? Looking forward to your blogs again. Just not looking forward to summer ending.
Susan, I have hiked Rainbow falls just up to the falls. And I much didn't care for it. I can't speak for much, but I do love Alum Cave Trail. We should change the pace, but when you live 12 hours away in Ludington, Michigan and love that trail I just don't like to change a good thing and the views are awsome! But if your 12 year old says ok to a different trail go for it. Your lucky she loves to hike. Have fun!! Thats all that matters.

doug

7/9/2012 04:28:03 am

Susan: My favorite route to the lodge is the Trillium trail going up, and either Rainbow or Bullhead going down; How long it takes simply depends on you. Me, well going up Rainbow now takes from four to six hours at my pace just to give you an idea; I believe I would plan for that much time. Alum is spectacular, steeper yet shorter. I think you'd enjoy the Trillium / Rainbow combination.

Susan

7/9/2012 04:47:48 am

Thank you Doug! Ok, with that said, maybe Trillium UP then. We'll be hiking on a Monday so maybe we'll come across the llama's. One other question I've been wondering - what time do most people start on the trail?

tomk

7/9/2012 05:24:17 am

Susan: If you take Trillium UP, then be sure to take the short up and back to Brushy Mountain. The trail is short and clearly marked with a nice view of Gatlinburg and the top of LeConte. Lunch there or, at the intersection where Brushy Mountain and Trillium Trails cross at Trillium Gap, just be sure you are hiking UP when you leave that intersection for the lodge.
As for RF scenery, Rocky Spur is excellent as is the Falls.
Blisters: J&J has a product called Blister Ampules or something like that in a shiny teal box. Those are almost miracle cures. Take the box up with you and treat your daughter as needed. Accept no substitutes.
Hiking up, early is better, more time at the top!
Our group has been hiking LeConte for 23 years or so, and Bullhead DOWN is brutal, it hammers your knees and clobbers your quads!

doug

7/9/2012 09:31:35 am

Susan : Good suggestion from tomk; that is a good resting point, and as he said, remember to continue UP from that intersection; I like Trillium because I like seeing the llamas; Pesonally, I almost always get on any trail, especially to the lodge, as early as possible as that gives me a buffer if the journey is for whatever reason more difficult than I expected, and if I get there early I can begin relaxing in a rocking chair that much sooner before dinner ! I've carried "moleskin" for more years than I can remember, but I'm always interested in other gear and will check out those "blister ampules" tomk mentioned; I believe the llamas arrive at the trailhead very early ! Enjoy Susan !

Susan

7/9/2012 03:02:12 pm

Tomk and Doug: Thank you! I will be picking up the blister ampules. After work today, I picked up my daughter with the boots and we hiked for almost an hour. I told her every other day we are hiking! Ok - I am going to take Trillium UP and then Rainbow DOWN. I was thinking of being on the trail by seven. What time do the llama's start? I wish I had some else to hike with. It always make me anxious to hike with just my daughter(s) and especially going onto new trails. Alum is great but I'd like to see something new. Thank you again!

tomk

7/10/2012 12:24:16 am

All you have to work out now is dropping the car. I would suggest you arrange for a shuttle or a taxi to meet you in Gatlinburg, then chase you the few miles to the RF parking lot. Drop your car there and jump in the other vehicle and have them shuttle you to the Grotto Falls parking lot. Start hiking there. You could start hiking at RF, but it adds 2.4 miles to the hike. Alan will have to speak to when the llama's begin the climb, but I believe if you started at the RF lot at 645, you would miss them. Alternatively you could hike the 2.4 miles to the GF lot after you descend RF.

Comments are closed.

LeConte Lodge

Welcome to the official blog of LeConte Lodge. We hope you find the information provided here both helpful and enjoyable. Thank you for visiting the site, and we hope to see you on the mountain!